Molding machine



Dec. 11, 1945. R. B. TEDROW MOLDING MACHINE Q 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Fil'ed March 3, 1943 JNVENTOR. ROY B. TEDEOW BY I .7 g ,9 2

Arroemgys R. B. TEDROW MOLDING MACHiNE Dec; 11., 1945;

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q oeooooocooeooo ooooco INVENTOR. A 0) 8. TEDPOW BY f V %'rg&po({/z 4 roe/vars Filed March 3, 1943 Dec. 11, 1945. R. B.- TEDROW 2,390,564

MOLDING MACHiNE Filed March s, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet a Amy 5. TEDQOW A rrozms vs INVEN TOR.

Dec. 11, 1945. ow 2,390,564

Momma MACHINE Filed March 3, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 all,

INVENTOR. pay 5. T50R01 qrropNEVS D 11., 1945. R. B. TEDROW MOLDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 201 5. fly/90W A TTOENEV Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOLDING MACHINE Roy B. Tedrow, San Francisco, Calif. ApplicationiMarch 3, 1943, Serial N0. 477,832

, 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a molding machine for molding blocks, slabs, etc., of the type shown in my co-pending application entitled Wall structure filed October 11, 1940, Serial No. 361,209, and especially to a machine which is designed for continuous operation and quantity production.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of molding machines, to provide a machine in which blocks, slabs, etc., of a difierent size and shape may be simultaneously molded; to provide a machine in which a plastic material such as concrete may be placed in traveling or continuously moving molds at one end of a' machine having such a length and speed of travel that the plastic material will be sufiiciently set to permit removal of the molded articlesat the opposite end of the machine; to provide a machine in which the molds may be individually adjusted in length to a fraction of aninch to insure what may be termed precision fitting of blocks and slabs when this is necessary: and, further, to provide means in connection with each mold whereby inserts in the form of keepers or the like to be embedded in the plastic material .1

may be positioned and held during the pouring of the plastic material and the setting thereof.

The molding machine is shown by Way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one 3 end of the machine in side elevation;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the cross-bars; i

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the hinge lugs whereby the side bars |5a are con- 51?;

nected;.

Figure .4 is a plan view of a portion of the mold assembly;

. Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of belt I l partly broken 1 1 away Figure 7 is anenlarged cross-section taken on line VII--VII,of Figure 4;. i

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-section of a cross- Figure 13 is a perspective view of a keeperpartially broken away; I

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a cross-tie member;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of an interlocking member; and T Figure 16 is a perspective view of bar 60.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, and Fig. 11, it will be noted that a frame is disclosed which consists of vertically disposed, interspersed channel bars or stanchions such as inidcated at 2-2, connected at their upper ends by guide bars 33 which extend substantially from end to end of the machine. The frame will, in actualpractice, be 300 feet or more in length. Z-shaped bars 4-4 also extend substantiallyfrom end to end of the frame and are secured to the stanchions just below the guide bars. A second set of guide bars 3a3a is secured to the stanchions at a point substantially midway of the height of the stanchions, and below the guide bars 3a-3a are secured angle bars 55 and 6-6. The guide bars 3a3a and the angle bars 5--5 and 6-6 will extend substantially the length of the frame and all are riveted, welded or the like toithe stanchions to form a rigid frame.

A second set of stanchions 1-1 are arranged on each side of the main frameand are tied to the main frame by cross-bars 8-8 and angle braces 99 as clearly shown in Figure 11.

Journalled at opposite ends of the main frame between the stanchions 2-2 is a pair of drums or pulleys l6, and carried and driven by said pulleys is an endless belt H, the upper reach of which is supported throughout its length 'by closely spaced rollers l2 journaled between the 2 bars 4-4. .Also journaled at opposite endsof the main frame'is a pair of sprocket gears 14, which are triangular-shaped in cross section, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and carried by said sprockets is a pair of chains, generally indicated at l5. These chains rest on top of belt H and are disposed on opposite sides thereof. Belt ll forms the bottom of a series of molds, while the chains l5 form the sides of the molds, as will hereinafter be described. 5

The construction of the chains is best "shown in Fig. 3. They consist of long bars orlinks l5a at one end, and on the outer side of which is formed a'pair of hinge lugs l6. On the opposite end of each bar and also on the outer side'is formed a hinge lug I! which enters between the lugs [6 of an adjacent bar. All lugs are perforated to receive a pintle, thus pivotally connecting the bars to form a continuous chain. To insure positive aligning of the bars, a recess I8 is formed at one end into which 2. lug l9 carried by an adjacent bar enters when the bars align. A ledge 20 is formed on the inner face of each bar and extends from end to end thereof, and a series of closely spaced perforations 2! are formed in each bar above the ledge, the purpose of which will hereinafter be. described.

When the machine is, in operation. it is absolutely essential that belt H and the chains l travel in unison and at the same speed. To.

insure uniformity of movement, the hinge lugs l6 and [1 are formed on the exterior sides of the bars and, as such, project outwardly from the same. The outwardly and downwardly extending projections thus formed: are utilized; to

form an interlock with the belt H, and. this.. is. accomplished by forming recess 22 in each side ofbelt Hi, as shown in. Fig. 6; The hinge: lugs project into these recesses thus. interlock with the belt, and, as: such, the bars and the belt will move in absolute unison. The.- stanchions "l.flt disposed. on opposite. sidesof the stanchions 2-2 or, in other: words... the. main frame; form two. side frames one: on cam side ofithe main frame. Pulleys such as; shown. at 25'. are journalled at each end of each sideframe; and each set. of pulleys carries. and drives. endless: belts. 26-26 which. are. supported throughout their length. by: closely spaced rollers: 1on1;- nalled: in the; side frames.v These; endless; belts form movableplatforms upon which the men; op;-

keeper is in general channel-shaped in cross section. It consists of a web portion 49 and side flanges 4| which are bent at right angles as at 42 to form a slot 43 between them. The web is cut at spaced intervals as at 44 to form outwardly bent anchor members 45. 'When the slabs are being molded or cast, the keepers must be supported with relation to the inner faces of the. slabs, as indicated at C, also. at, the. ends of the. slabs as. indicated at D, and at the corners as indicated at E (see Fig. 12).

In order to support the keepers during the molding or casting operation so that the keepers. will be properly positioned and embedded in the. concrete... cross-bars such as shown in Fig. 2 are employed. Each cross-bar consists of two anglebam; 5B; which are welded or otherwise secured. atv their opposite ends to rectangularshaped blocks 5l5|. The angle bars Efl are spaced. apart; to: form a slot; 52' between .them, and the: angle bars are drilled; ta receive sup. Porting. pins the form of; nails such shown at 5.3.. Secured; to each of; the; blocks; 5t are apair: of bolts 5,4; and, slidably mounted om said bolts: are plates 55.. the. upper: portions or which are bent to form hand grips 5B. The plates 53 have. their central portionscut out, as. shown at. 55-1... to; straddle. the angle: bars. 52; A. spring 5.8- is. placed on: eachibol-t 54; intermediate: the

crating the machine stand or walk; back. and

which carries two-.ofthe pulleys25. whereby belts 25 are -driven A second sprocket. gear 30; secured onthe same shatt' transmitspowerthrough anchairril to'a, sprocket gear hzesecirred on shaft 33 which inturn carries: one of. the. drums; or pulleys [0 whereby. belt M. is. driven. oi the several; sprockets. employed is such.- that when power from a suitablesource is-,transmitted tothefirstdriving sprocket gear 28;. belts; 2.6 and .H3. will be. driven. at.the same; speedand. as: there is; an interlock between beltv M1 and. the. bars forming the chains. l5. these. will; alsobe driven in'. unison withbelt; thand thesprockets. M; supporting thechains will. merely .function aszidlers. Thereis one. more: endless. belt, which is; indicated. at 3-5.. Thisbelt is. supported by idler pul- 183 51.36; journalled in the main frameone. at each end Blocks of wood, 3Eia,. rubber or a. suitable compositionniaterial.are. secured to. belt 35, and theseiunction as av support for the lower or re.- turn. section of belt H; and. chains. l5; belt. 3.5 beingv in. turn supported throughout. its length by..closely spaced rollers, 3.1 journalled in the main frame. Belt 35;, by supporting-belt ll and chains. I5. preventsv excessive sag, and as. most ofitheweightof beltv ll and. chains: li5-.is. carried bybelt 3.5,..the frictionbetween them; is sufiicient to drive or impart continuous movement to belt-35.

The machinediS-closed in, this instance isparticularly intended for casting or molding. wall slabs or blocks such asillustrated in Figs... 12; to 15 inclusive. The. blocks or. slabs disclosed are made-.ofconcrete and. in mostinstances have em.- bedded, therein metalkeenersbothat their ends and on. theirinner. faces; thetypeof; keeper em.- ployed being best illustrated in Fig. 13. This They ratio head. of the bolt; and. the plate 55,. thus normally holding; the. plates. 555.; in engagement. with: the blocks. 5| Each. plate; 55 has.- a. pair of pins; 5.9 secured, thereto which extend; through and; are. slidable. the blocks 5.5L, Thus, if an operator working on the molding; machine grasps a cross:- bar, such. as. shown; in Fi 2c. by the. handles; 55 and exerts pressure to pull; the. handles. toward each other. each handle will slide inwardly. rm the. bolts 54 and. compress the springs. 58;. and will at: the same time; retract. the. pins. 59; into the. blocks; 5.1;. With. the; pins 5e retracted, the operator.- will. place the crcss b-a-rcross-wise of belt Id and place it. ontheinner. ledges; 2B; oi the bars l5a forming thesides; of; the mold, and he may. slide; the cross bar along the ledges until adesired position is: assumed; Then. by releasing, Pull on the: hand grips, springs. 53% will. force the. hand grips; back, into -.contact with the bl'o'nks 5.1,, and; pins; 59. will at the same timebecome projected and, as such... will: enter the perforations 2| formed. theaSidfls of thezbarr 50.; 1

The. cross-bars serve; two. functions, to. wit first, that of suspending and securing theekeepers indicated at G. in .12 during the molding forations; in theangleibars: Stand throughaligning perioratibns; 5301.; formed in the-bars 60; and when so. placed. the keeper will besuspended and secured: below. thecross-bar B (see Fig. 4 The cross-bar with the keeper suspended from 'it is then ready-to: bea placedi crosswise of belt H and to be supported by the ledges 20 formed on" the inner: sides of: the bars tha forming the sides of the molcb and to be secured: in the proper position by entering pins 59 of the cross-bar into the perforations 2| formed in the bars 15a, the crossbais when so positioned and securedbeing clearly shownat.B B in Figs. 4 and 5.

Thefsecondfunction of the cross-bars, to wit, that of supporting the end sections of a mold, can best be described by reference to Figs. 4, 5; 8, 9 andlO. If slabs are being molded for the wall of abuilding, as shown in Fig. 12, it is obvious that slabs of varying length will be required, and also that slabs will be required to form corners, as indicated at E of Fig. 12. The perforations 2]. in the bars l5a forming the sides of the mold, niayjin actual practice be spaced an inch apart.

. minute more or less.

Hence, ifa slab is required which is, for instance,

3 feet, 2 inches long, the cross-bar B carrying anfen'd sectionof a mold may be set between the barsfliaftogive that dimension, but if the slab shouldbet feet, 2 inches long, it could not be taken care of unless some other adjustment was provided. In Fig. 8 an end section for a mold is shown at 10 which is carried by a flat, vertically disposed bar H suspended between the angle bars 50of a cross-bar B by nails 53 in the same manner as the T-shaped bar 60. The end section 10 has two screw-threaded holes formed in, one side into which extend a pair of bolts 12 terminating in wing nut heads 13. Each'bolt formed midway of its length a collar 14 which isfstraddled by a strap 15 in which the collar andbolt are freely rotatable by means of the wing nut head. Thus by backing up on a lock nut llifcarried by each bolt, the bolts may be rotated, and if, rotated in one direction, the end mold section will be forced away from the bar H a ,distance, for instance, of one-half inch and thensecured in place by tightening the lock nuts 161 \In this manner slabs of a length ending inv a fraction of an inch may be taken care of.

,I'he'end section of the mold shown at 10 in Figij Sis also utilizedto support a keeper, this being, accomplished by using a T-shaped bar similar to the. one shown at 60 in Fig. 16, and inserting it in a slot" formed in the end section cated at". 1

The end mold section 80 shown in Fig. 9 is substantially identical in construction and operation ltothat shown in Fig.8, the only difference being thatit ends in an angular face 8| to form a corner gsnmxrm this instance it is also necessary to bend their-shaped bar 82 at the outer end in order to sup rt thekeeper at right angles to the angular face ,8I.

arelto be molded or cast, belt II will be made of a metallic nonrusting endless belt of a width and length required, and the direction or move ment of the belt will be from right to left. The

widthofthe belt is constant and the side bars i5 a forming the sides of the mold are constant in shape and position a they interlock with the belt I l The operators stand on the endless belt platforms disposed on oppositesides of the moldand then securing it by pins or nails as indi- In-actu'alpractice, if concreteslabsor the like 1 1 ing belt and move inthe same direction as the w casting ormolding belt, and at the same speed. At the right hand end of the machine, the operators place the cross-bars in position between'the bars, l5q. First there is placed in position by meansof a cross-bar an end mold section, such for instance as shown in Fig. 8; then they place a number of cross bars from which are suspended 'kee'persfand then finally another end section such as shown inFig. 8 or 9 depending upon whether wallislabsf or corner slabs are to be formed. obviouslyfslabs 'ofany length may be formed. The cross bars B are placed in position, for instance, by one or two operators, and as the belt passes on, the concrete is placed in the molds in any suitable manner. This completes the work at the right hand end of the machine which, as previously stated, may be 300 feet or more in length between pulleys. The belt may travel at an average speed of, for instance, 10 feet per The mortar or concrete applied in a plastic state at the right hand end of the belt must set and develop strength by the time it reaches the left hand or opposite end so that the slabs maybe handled, that is, removed without injury or breakage. Rapid setting may be accomplished by introducing chemical accelerator into the plastic mortar. One notable accelerator is aluminum stearate which when introduced into the Portland cement mortar accelerates the setting rate according to the amount of accelerator used. It is anticipated that the optimum use of this accelerator will require a casting belt of substantially the length specified.

When the slabs have set sufiiciently and are strong enough to be removed, it is accomplished by operators who merely grip the handle sections 51 of the cross-bars, one at each end. of the slab, and lift them clear of the belt and when they are removed from the belt they may be placed on another conveyor, not shown, or on platforms or the like. Here other operators will release the cross-bars B by removing the nails 53 and lifting the cross-bars clear of the T-shaped bars 60. The T-shaped bars may then be removed by pushing them endwise out of the keepers. The same operation is performed with the end sections of the mold.

The metallic molding belt ll being flexible, readily passes around its pulleys, but the sides of the mold, or in other words, the bars l5'a as they are rigid cannot pass around the pulleys. Accordingly, the side forms or bars [5a are hingedly connected thus making it possible for them to pass around sprockets such as previously described. The casting or molding belt H is amply supported throughout its length by the closely spaced rollersplaced below the belt, thus forming a rigid support for the molds during the placing of the plastic mortar and during the setting period. The casting belt is also supported during the return by the belt 35 and the blocks 35a carried thereby also by the closely spaced rollers disposed under this belt. The speed with which the several belts travel may be varied for instance by introducing a speed changer at the the keepers are tied together by an I-shaped interlocking member such as shown in Fig. 15 and where slabs are joined end to end in the wall they are joined by a similar I-shaped member,

, for instance, as indicated at D. Slabs forming a wall of this character are accordingly rapidly and cheaply produced and the erection of a wall of this character is also rapidly accomplished.

Having -thusdescribed my invention, what I claim and des re t secnre by Letters Patent, is:

In a mach n of the haracterdescribe elongated frame, a pulley jcurnaled at each end of t e f ame, a endless, belt carr ed by said pull ys and to mi e a bo tom of: a se i s of m lds. a plural y i hinsed y on e ted side bars dis pos d on each side o t b lt, sa dbars f r ing a pair of end ess-chains nd also forming the sides o e mo ds. pairs f sprocket gears iourbale at each. end or" the frame a supporting the dless chains, cross-bars inserted between the-side bars to term the. ends of a s ries o molds, and means fc mine'an int rlock between thelt and the si bars of he endless cha n 2.- In a mac ineoi the c r t r described. an

elongated flame. a pul ey ieurnaled at e h end of he rame,v an. endle belt carried by ai pu leys and icrming a bo tom o a s ri s o m d a plu alityc hiheed y c n ted side bars dis posed on each s de o the belt, sa d bars form a pair of endle chains n also orming the sides of the" m lds, pairs. of spr cket s a s ieurnaled a a end of th frame and supp t n t end ess cha ns, cr ss-bars in r ed b w n th s de a s to orm the ends of a se ies o mo d vmeans forming an interlock between the belt and the side bars of the endless chains, and means for imparting movement to the belt, the side bars and the rossa s inuniscn- 3. In a machine of the character described, an endless belt forming the, bottom of a series of molds, a plurality ofhingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the sides of the molds cross-bars detachably secured between the side bars to form the ends of a. series of molds, and means on the cross-bars for supporting metal members to be embedded in the slab cast in the mold.

i. In a machine of the character described, an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds, a plurality of hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the sides of the molds, cross-bars inserted between the side bars and end bars carried by the cross-bar and forming the ends of a series of molds, and means for adjusting the .end bars'to and away from the cross-bars to vary the length of the molds.

5., In a machine of the character described, an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds, a plurality of hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the sides of the molds, cross-bars inserted between the side bars, an end bar carried by each crossbar and forming the ends of a series of molds,

means whereby the cross-bars and the end bars .carried thereby may be adjusted longitudinally of the side bars to vary the length of the molds, and means for adjusting the end bars to and away from the crosssbars to further vary the length .of the molds.

6. In a machine of the-character described, an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds, a plurality'of hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the T" sides of the molds, .cross -bars inserted between the .side bars, an end bar carried by each cross-bar and forming the ends of a series of molds, and means on the end bars for supporting keepers to be embedded in a slab cast in themOld.

7. 1m a machine of the character described, an endless belt forming the bottom vof a series of molds, a plurality of' hinged-ly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the sides of the molds, cross-bars inserted between the side b rs, an e d her carried by eachlcrcssbar. and forming th ends of a series oi molds other cross-bars insertable between the side, and the cross bam ca ry ng the nd bars; an means on sa d other c oss bars for sup ortin k epers to be embedded i the inner aces 9i s ab cas in t e mo ds,

3. In a a hi of. th chara ter describe an endless belt form ng the bottom of a seri s oi molds, a plurality o hins dly connected side bars dis ose on e ch i e of the belt and ierming the sides of the m lds, a plurality 9i crossbars insert d between t e side bars. manually actuated m n for each cross-bar i r s curing or re...a ne th cros -bars with relation to the sid means on ce tain cros bars m ne. th nds of a s ries o mo ds, and means 0 the oth r .crcss b'ars for support g k epers to be embedded the nne aces .o slabs the i eld 9.- I a machi e o the c aracter d scribed the combination with an endl s belt term sthe bot om oia'seri s o mo ds and a blur t y oi hineed y connect d s de bar disposed on each side of the el and orming thesi s oi the m ld f a c o s-ba in rted etw en th s de bar s i o -bar h vin a and g ip at end mov bl o g ud a y o he cross d-bar, sprinem njs engagi ch ha d g ip and 1. 1" rea ly ain n eac nd grip at each end o f the cross-bar, a pair .of pins secured to eagh hand grip and normally extending into perforations formed in the side bars to detachably se: cure the cross-bar, said handgrips when inanually grasped and pulled towards each other against the springs causing retraction of the pins and release of the cross-bar from the side, bars.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds and a plurality 13 hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the ,Sides of the molds, of a cross-bar inserted between the side bars, said cross-bar having a hand grip at each end movable longitudinally of the cross-bar, p ng means eng gi g e h g ip a d no mally maintaining each hand grip at each end of the cross-bar, a pair of pins secured to each hand grip and normally extending into perfrorations formed in the side bars to detachably secure the cross-bar, said hand grips when manually grasped and pulled towards each other against the springs causing retraction of the pins' and release of the cross-bar from the side'barsya slot formed in the cross-bar and extending longitudinally thereof between the hand grips a bar insertable in said slot, means 'for detachably securing the bar in the slot and an end bar carried by said bar.

'1 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds and a plurality oi hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt andforming the sides of the molds, of a cross-bar inserted between the side bars, said cross-bar hay-mg a hand grip at each end movable longitudinally of the cross-bar, spring means engaging each hand grip and normally maintaining each hand grip at each end of the cross-bar, a pair of pins secured to each hand grip and normally extending into perfora- V release 01' the cross-bar from the side bars, a slot formed in the cross-bar and extending longitudinally thereof between the hand grips, a bar insertable in said slot, means for detachably securing the bar in the slot, and an end bar adjustably secured to the said bar for movement to and away from the bar.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds and a plurality of hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the sides of the molds, of a cross-bar inserted between the side bars, said cross-bar having a hand grip at each end movable longitudinally of the cross-bar, spring means engaging each hand grip and normally maintaining each hand grip at each end of the cross-bar, a pair of pins secured to each hand grip and normally extending into perforations formed in the side bars to detachably secure the cross-bar, said hand grips when manually grasped and pulled towards each other against the springs causing retraction of the pins and release of the cross-bar from the side bars, a slot formed in the cross-bar and extending longitudinally thereof between the hand grips, a bar insertable in said slot, means for detachably securing the bar in the slot, and means for suspending a keeper from said bar.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an endless belt forming the bottom of a series of molds and a plurality of hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt and forming the sides of the molds, of a cross-bar inserted between the side bars, said cross-bar having a hand grip at each end movable longitudinally of the cross-bar, spring means engaging each hand grip and normally maintaining each hand grip at each end of the cross-bar, a pair of pins secured to each hand grip and normally extending into perforations formed in the side bars to detachably secure end of the frame, an endless belt carried by said pulleys and forming the bottom of a series of molds, a plurality of hingedly connected side bars disposed on each side of the belt, said bars forming a pair of endless chains and also forming the sides of the molds, pairs of sprocket gears journaled at each end of the frame and supporting the endless chains, cross-bars inserted between. th side bars to form the ends of a series of molds, an endless belt disposed on each side of the frame and forming platforms for operators to work upon, and means for imparting movement to the first named belt, the endless chains, the cross-bars carried by said chains, and. the platform belts in unison.

ROY B. TEDROW. 

